Lake Berryessa

Lake Berryessa

Your information guide to Lake Berryessa boat rentals and houseboat vacations with jet skis, boat tours, and watercraft rentals. This is the largest lake in Napa County, California. Berryessa reservoir is formed by the Monticello Dam, which provides water and hydroelectricity to the North Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area. Most visitors enjoy camping, fishing, hiking, boating, and sightseeing.

Detailed facts about Lake Berryessa include the European settlers in the Berryessa Valley, José Jesús and Sexto “Sisto” Berrelleza, who were granted Rancho Las Putas in 1843. Prior to its inundation, the valley was an agricultural region, whose soils were considered among the finest in the country. The main town in the valley, Monticello, was abandoned in order to construct the reservoir. Construction of Monticello Dam was begun in 1953, and the reservoir filled by 1963, creating what at the time was the second-largest reservoir in California after Shasta Lake.

The lake is heavily used for recreational purposes to the surrounding counties, but we also see people that come from around the world, and enjoy over 20,000 acres when full. The reservoir is approximately 15.5 miles long, but only 3 miles wide. The lake has approximately 165 miles of shoreline. Come and enjoy the best vacation rental experience.